Pakistan Closes Airspace to Taiwanese Airlines in Support of China

Pakistan has barred Taiwanese airlines from flying through its airspace in line with its One-China policy, becoming the first country in the world to take such a step, Bloomberg documented.

Key points

• Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 demonstrates that China Airlines and EVA Air have not flown over Pakistan since the morning of October 25.
• Islamabad has recognised Beijing as the sole administration of China since the early 1950s and does not have formal ties with Taiwan.
• Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the move, saying only carriers from mainland China are allowed to fly over Pakistan.
• Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration did not comment on the rerouting either, but remarked it has never banned airlines from flying over Russia.
• Since then, at least a dozen of their flights between Asia and Europe have been routed over Russia instead.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the move, saying only carriers from mainland China are allowed to fly over Pakistan. Textile Industry Slams FBR Over 40-Hour Customs Delay. Taiwanese Flights Now Rerouted.

Since then, at least a dozen of their flights between Asia and Europe have been routed over Russia instead. The longer routes add flying time and fuel costs on these services.

Both airlines declined to comment on the change. Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration did not comment on the rerouting either, but remarked it has never banned airlines from flying over Russia. Stricter Than China Itself.

As mainland China still allows Taiwanese airlines to employ its airspace, pakistan's restriction goes further than Beijing's own rules.

In practice, the decision reflects the close economic and military relationship between the two countries.

While Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets supplied to Pakistan played a role in the 2025 conflict with India, china has invested heavily in Pakistan under its Belt and Road Initiative.

Pakistan has additionally kept its airspace closed to Indian airlines since that conflict, a ban that has reportedly cost Indian carriers around $2 billion. Earlier this month, the administration extended that ban till November 24. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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For now, pakistan Closes Airspace to Taiwanese Airlines in Support of China remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.